Insulated Gloves and Mittens

Featured review by Go Time! (Jesse Maloney)

I’ve used my Alti Mitts for years and have found them to be of the highest quality. They have outperformed every other mitt I have owned prior to them.

Fit and Comfort: Although dexterity is somewhat limited in a thicker mitt, I am more than willing to trade a lack of digit wiggling for warmer hands. I live in MN where temps often fall below 0°F. From my 5 years of experience with the Alti mitt, they perform exceptionally well in temperatures down to -20°F (assuming little activity—e.g. sitting in camp. If moving and working, they perform well below -20°F). When slipping on this version of the Alti model, you’ll notice right away that the sleeve is longer than the insert.

Read more: Outdoor Research Alti Mitts reviews (6)

Reviewed by BigRed

The SealSkinz Waterproof Extreme Cold Weather Gauntlet is a well-constructed, warm and waterproof glove for getting out and about in the cold. Ideal for downhill skiing and backcountry ski descents when temperature fall below -10˚C / teens F, and as a camp glove in somewhat higher temperatures.

Preliminary Review Sealskinz has provided me with two pairs of gloves to put to the test, these and the All Weather Glove. Sealskinz specializes in waterproof/breathable socks, gloves, mittens, and hats, with nearly 50 options just in the gloves and mitten department. In most garments, waterproofness and breathability are a tradeoff, but Sealskinz claims its products offer “100% waterproof protection whilst being incredibly breathable and dexterous”. Depending on conditions and activity, these two characteristics may be more or less desirable—to have both in abundance could be a dream come true.

Read more: SealSkinz Waterproof Extreme Cold Weather Gauntlet review (1)

Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

Black Diamond's Dirt Bag Mitts are a very warm, durable product at a spectacular price-point ($44.95 USD). These highly water resistant mittens are made with a goat leather outer which is built to last. Ideal for temperatures well under freezing (30°F or less), the Dirt Bag Mitts are designed for snowsports, hiking/backpacking, or general outdoor activities and chores. Note: Black Diamond also offers a Dirt Bag Glove counterpart.

When warmth is a necessity, quality hand-wear is absolutely indispensable. Black Diamond’s new Dirt Bag Mitt falls under the ‘WOW’ category, especially when considering the quality-to-price point ratio. Black Diamond has shown to be a frontrunner in apparel for quite some time, and their gear can be seen everywhere from the trail to the climbing gym since 1957. Although designed as a ski mitt, the Dirt Bag excels as a durable, general-use outdoor mitten.   Specifications: Price: $44.95 USD Size: XS-XL Gender: Unisex Material: Goat leather shell; thermal foam & 100g fleece lining; acrylic knit cuff Color availability: Natural only Weight: 154g/5.5oz (pair) Temperature range: 20-35°F (Black Diamond’s spec)  Note: The Dirt Bag...

Read more: Black Diamond Dirt Bag Mitts review (1)

Reviewed by Sheila Bergin Goss

The Outdoor Research Inception Aerogel Gloves are warm, flexible, and comfortable gloves. They have become go-to gloves that I use on my daily snowshoeing and winter hiking outings. I have used these gloves for more than 60 days, in temperatures ranging from minus 4 (f) to 33 degrees, and in both dry and wet and snowy conditions. As the winter has progressed, in addition to use during my daily snowshoeing and winter hiking outings, I have used them while kick-sledding and shoveling snow. They are not bulky, permit dexterity, and work well with poles. The Inception Aerogel Gloves are well made, and are comfortable for my winter activities.

Introduction I began testing a pair of these Inception Aerogel Gloves in early November, in Northern Vermont, and have used them for more than 60 days of snowshoeing and winter hiking. While engaged in these activities, I actively use poles, so my hands are moving almost all the time. My needs for suitable gloves for my winter activities require that the gloves be comfortable, warm enough in a variety of conditions, large enough to permit use of a glove liner and to accommodate an arthritic thumb, yet not too bulky to easily use with poles.  Sizing and Color Options The gloves are available in two colors options, all black, and a black and saddle (dark tan) combination.

Read more: Outdoor Research Inception Aerogel Gloves review (1)

Featured review by Andrew F.

A very good winter glove for all but the coldest weather. A nice combination of warmth and freedom of movement. Very nice leather palms. Not waterproof, and leather needs to be treated periodically. Also, no gauntlet or leashes.

For me, this is the glove that bridges between cold (30 degrees) and very cold (zero degrees) for most pursuits.  The gloves are insulated with Primaloft, with twice as much insulation on the back of the hands as the palm.  Regular price $129; purchased at one of their 40% off sales for just under 80 bucks. At that price, a great deal.  Back of the hand. Note that leather covers backs of fingers, but the back of most of the glove is nylon. Note the loop on the second finger for hooking with a carabiner if needed.Palm—leather covers fingers and a double layer of leather at the palm.  Another view of the palm, note how part of the palm is doubled up.

Read more: Eddie Bauer First Ascent Guide Gloves reviews (2)

Featured review by Tom Schmit

My new go-to gloves for cold weather!

Well these are now the gloves against which I compare all other gloves and mittens. They are extremely warm and have proven to be very durable so far (I've not had them very long, though). I've used them in -20°F windchill with gusts up to 30 mph and in warmer, wetter weather. They've been bullet proof so far. In fact, these are the first pair of gloves that I've owned that allow my fingers to warm up in sub-zero weather. What I mean is this: usually in sub-zero temperatures, if my bare fingers are exposed it's pretty much game over.

Read more: Outdoor Research Alti Gloves reviews (3)

Featured review by Andrew F.

These are my backup winter hiking mitt/gloves. I really like the heavy-duty feel of these, the lobster design, and some of the thoughtful features. On the downside, the inserts that arrived with these were average, I cut some of the excess straps off because their functionality was iffy, and the leather palms need a little more than usual care. A much better mitt with the replacement inserts. The basic functions—warmth, wind/water resistance, and in particular the deep winter replacement inserts, make these a nice and functional choice for winter.

Edit: As of winter 2021/22, I still wear these Hestra hybrid mitt/gloves in cold weather, wore them today. They have proved to be very durable and warm with the replacement insert. Today’s version has a better-articulated thumb but still appears to be sold with a "fiberfil"l insert rather than Primaloft. 2022 photos, after a number of years of use     Original Review: As you can see from the number of pros and cons, I have a complicated relationship with these mitt/gloves. In some ways brilliant, in others funky and a tad annoying.

Read more: Hestra Heli Ski 3-Finger Glove reviews (3)

Featured review by Casey

Very good mittens that fit well. They are pretty warm but YMMV.

Having a light case of Raynaud's Syndrome (some fingers get cold and won't warm up), I have often struggled to find ski/snowboard gloves and mittens that will work in colder temperatures (below 32F/0C). Now in the Pacific Northwest, temperatures at ski areas typically range from the high teens to the low 30s. After some research, I settled on the Black Diamond Mercury Mitts (Men's). I had very high hopes for them being warm at the colder temperatures. Black Diamond shows their comfort range from -25F to 10F (-31C to -12C).

Read more: Black Diamond Mercury Mitts reviews (3)

Reviewed by Paul Lapierre

Warm, durable, useful, washable. Heck, what more do you want.

What do you do when you have worn out some of the best guide gloves you have come across? You buy new ones. (Alicia, I know how you like pics.) Some improvements on the new ones is the thumb is now all leather. There is a drawstring to close them off. It also needs to be said that you will need to buy them a size up. I wear a medium and a large is the perfect fit   Here is the review for the first pair years ago that still applies: I won't write a review unless I have had a product for a least a year.

Read more: Black Diamond Guide Finger Glove review (1)

Reviewed by Gary Leatham

Three glove sets in one. Amazingly well-designed, durable, waterproof, breathable, modular active-wear hand protection system for year-round use for cool to bitter cold, with wind, rain or snow. Obvious careful selection of materials for functionality, agility and durability. Trim functional cut for action, and well stitched. Near perfection for my uses. A complete steal at the list price! Agree with the praise by others on source site, where I got them. I've spent far more in the past, for far less functionality

Titan is one high-quality glove set! The more I use them, the more I understand their name. This modular system is two sets of excellently designed gloves that can be used separately or combined to make a third 'Titan' glove to conquer bad weather. There must have been extraordinary attention to design, material selection, and testing to create the set. The Gore-Tex lined overmitt, gifts durable wind and moisture protection, while keeping adequate breathability. Each piece works great alone and well when needed together (together they are tight now, but I expect then to improve over time).  The overmitt features a wrist strap to help ensure that the glove stays on with activity.

Read more: DaKine Leather Titan Gore-tex Mitt review (1)